Are Home Theater Magazines out of touch with the average person?

[wbassett]

<^..^>Smokey Joe wrote:

The setup for monitors were valued at 40000 pounds sterling. What I must say is that there was a pile of amps driving the audio system, in comparison I would hazard a guess that 1 amp systems as most Home theatres are will not be able to compete with amps for every channel sound, no matter how expensive the tag is. Considering this was for a stereo setup, not 5 or 7 point surround makes it even more costly.

The studio room itself was actually a sound box, it was designed as part of the sound system, not many home theatres go that far.

I know you are only talking about stereo, but this sounds like the original THX setup and certified installations before they decided to lower the standards to 'out of the box' units. All THX installations used to be setup, calibrated and certified by a THX specialist that was also certified. Yes those are high end and ultra systems, but not something the average or even above average consumer could afford.

I like the analogy made earlier that these systems are more like pin up models than real women.

[wbassett]

Oh, by the way, the $20K DVD player isn't made up or a myth if anyone was thinking that, it was the Meridian 800 CD/DVD-Audio player; $19,450 to $22,450. I'm still looking for the article that said it was a bargin.

[eugovector]

wbassett wrote:

Oh, by the way, the $20K DVD player isn't made up or a myth if anyone was thinking that, it was the Meridian 800 CD/DVD-Audio player; $19,450 to $22,450. I'm still looking for the article that said it was a bargin.

I'll take TWO!!

[gsmollin]

Home theater mags, like any kind of specialized mag are in touch with what boosts circulation, and what maximizes advertising revenue, i.e. they are in touch with their own bottom line. This is not unlike the movie studios that produce the content we have to watch on our HTs. I have gotten up from too many movies and remarked "That sucked." too many times. I am happy I have "only" spent ~$3k on the setup. (That is equipment prices, no room treatment, DIY install, and computer not included since I bought it for desktop use anyway.)

So are HT mags in touch with the "average" hobbyist? No way, since that would not maximize revenues. They are selling: Big $ systems and their advertisers are looking for new business.

OBTW, save your money on the audio cables. The $200/ft speakers cables are for suckers.

[Kal Rubinson]

gsmollin wrote:

Home theater mags, like any kind of specialized mag are in touch with what boosts circulation, and what maximizes advertising revenue, i.e. they are in touch with their own bottom line.

If they want to stay in business, they are. Of course, this means including materials that will get and hold readership, regardless of whether the "average" reader can/will buy the equipment.

So are HT mags in touch with the "average" hobbyist? No way, since that would not maximize revenues. They are selling: Big $ systems and their advertisers are looking for new business.

Well, then, how do you define "average?" In the case of any successful medium, it is based on the demographics of their target audience. Too often, people define "average" too personally. Everyone here is way above average (with a nod to Garrison Keillor).

Kal

[gsmollin]

Kal Rubinson wrote:

...Well, then, how do you define "average?"...

Kal

It's the first statistical moment of the population.

However, in many populations, even large ones, the average, or mean, is skewed by the highest entries. The best example is real estate, but I think that carries over to "home" theater. Then the best way to characterize the population is the median. The home theater mags are not aimed at the median, at least in their editorial content. Advertising is, however, since that has to be more pragmatic. So you will see a big ad for the Panasonic $3,600 projector, but the cover article is about the Runco $36,000 PJ.

[Kal Rubinson]

gsmollin wrote:

It's the first statistical moment of the population.

Perhaps, then, I should have asked for a definition of the population. My point is that any publication must interest and keep its readership by including content that they find relevant. Certainly, the world's population, as a whole, is not the target population; it is a small subset who want to read about particular items.

However, in many populations, even large ones, the average, or mean, is skewed by the highest entries. The best example is real estate, but I think that carries over to "home" theater. Then the best way to characterize the population is the median. The home theater mags are not aimed at the median, at least in their editorial content. Advertising is, however, since that has to be more pragmatic. So you will see a big ad for the Panasonic $3,600 projector, but the cover article is about the Runco $36,000 PJ.

Again, my issue is not statistical but practical. It is likely that the target audience of readers actually likes to read about the Runco even though they may buy only the Panasonic. If so (and I think it likely), then the content is entirely appropriate.

Why are there no Bose ads here?

Kal

[wbassett]

I do agree that it is interesting and fun to read about bleeding edge technology and seeing various setups does give people ideas and goals to shoot for.

My main point was when the magazines talk about high end, or bleeding edge and then as I mentioned say what a bargain it is as if everyone can scrounge around pocket change and come up with $10 or $20 grand.

I understand that these magazines aren't going to be reviewing Durabrand HTIB systems, nor would I want them to. They do however give the impression that Home Theater, especially when projectors are involved are a luxury for the rich, and even their common/budget setups are not realistic for the average person looking to set something up. By average, I don't mean those that have a $49 DVD player and a $100 Sherwood receiver, I'm talking about people like us and many that do read their magazines.

I also like cars and do love to read about the newest Porsche or Ferrari, but in reality my last sports car was a Trans Am. It was fun to read and dream but when it actually came to buying a 'toy' those magazines were useless in my decision making. Same goes for reviews on projectors or other ultra high end gear that are really only targeted for commercial or the indepenantly wealthy.

Now I must say the HDTV reviews I have seen were all very informative and did include the very sets that most consumers were interested in. I have no problem with articles on high end gear, it just came across the wrong way (to me at least) when they were refering to them as bargains. Sure they may be a bargain to some people (those that read the car magazines for Porsche and Ferrari with the intent of actually buying one ) but I really think for most people it's just an interesting read and something they would love to have, but then go to Best Buy to look at HDTV's and players.

Also as I mentioned I've seen HT rooms listed as bargin DIY setups that many on this site would have some trouble raising the funds to do without taking out a second mortgage.
So I am saying to me in some ways they are out of touch and think it would be better to just say "this is an example of the best of the best, but for most people this is probably more realistic..." Of course that wouldn't bode well with some advertisers

For example I know many people with projector setups. It is very realistic to be able to add a projector and screen for around $2K to $3K (depending on the price of the projector of course) and that includes the screen, cabling, mounts... that's a huge difference than $50K for a 'bargin' system. Many people convert their basements or a spare room, yet when I see a basement conversion, it's usually a 'bat cave' (I saw one that literally looked like Batman's Batcave) or as Sonnie mentioned, the article says DIY but they actually had contractors do most of the work. Wouldn't it be nice to see some realistic 'bargain' systems that real people have done but also look incredible? Our own Home Theater Gallery and the thread in the Screen forum showcases many fantastic Home Theater setups, ranging from very economical, to the same cost as the magazine featured theaters. The main difference is as I just mentioned, only some of the systems and setups were $50K 'budget/bargain' systems. Many are extremely attainable but a lot of people that read the mags but don't scour forums probably dismiss that type of setup as a fantasy, just like I thought when I saw a $20K CD/DVD player

[Kal Rubinson]

Bill-

That's all very reasonable and the unqualified use of the terms "bargain" or "reasonable" is irresponsible. Sometimes, it is an insensitivity to the perspectives of others. Sometimes, it is simply to be provocative. (I've done that.)

That said, I trust that any economically successful publication has assessed its readerships interests and needs accurately. Few of us would be the "average" reader in any one, let alone all of them.

I am not trying to defend anyone's editorial policies, btw, just trying to be reasonable.

Kal

[gsmollin]

If you look up the new Astin-Martin on Edmunds, you may find the testimonial from the guy who has owned Ferraris and Lambourghinis, who thinks the A-M is a "bargain". So it all is relative. Still, a R&T magazine with readership of 100,000 writes articles about cars that sell hundreds. Are they writing seriously to their average reader? Yes and no. The average reader will never own the A-M, or the Ferrari, so why not read about them? A Trans-am you can test drive at your local Pontiac dealer, so who needs to read about it?

The same is true for the Runco home theater. I, for instance, plan to never own one, so a review in a magazine is reasonable read. Still, it is not a "bargain" to the average readership, and such statements ring false.

[wbassett]

gsmollin wrote:

The same is true for the Runco home theater. I, for instance, plan to never own one, so a review in a magazine is reasonable read. Still, it is not a "bargain" to the average readership, and such statements ring false.

I totally agree that it is a reasonable read and article, and I also enjoy reading about high performance gear whether it's cars, computers, or HT gear. In that sense it shows us what is out there and what is capable of being done. We all know that a $1000 projector isn't going to perform like a $250,000 Runco Signature Cinema SC-1. It does though tell us a few things to look for in the less expensive brands, so that is of value. The thing is I think they should say exactly that.

I'd like to see more of a balance with high end and realistic end both being presented and both being stated as to what they really are. Certainly we all would love to own the best available, but many times that's just not realistic. So we make decisions and sometimes compromises. Some of the articles (not all) tend to have an elitist air to them. I would accept an article that said 'This isn't practical price wise for the average or even above average consumer, but the quality (not value or 'bargain') is beyond reproach.' That is fair and valid.

I don't consider myself a poor person, so that's not why I started this thread at all. It's not just me either, I personally know others that have said the same thing about some of these magazines. The other comment I hear is some people say 'Man, maybe this is out of my league' or 'I really must be poor...' In that sense it could actually dissuade some people rather than build more sales and future consumers. The person that buys the $1000 projector today, usually ends up wanting an upgrade down the road. If that person walks away because of $50K budget DIY Home Theaters being featured as well as HT setups in the hundreds of thousands because it doesn't seem feasable to even think about setting one up, what did they [magazines] really end up accomplishing? If they sparked excitement by showing people what can be done on a more realistic budget wouldn't that be better?

Sure, they should continue to have the ultra high end reviews and articles, I'd just like to see a little more balance is all. And they need to stop saying how much a bargin $200 plus HDMI and speaker cables are!!

[gsmollin]

wbassett wrote:

... And they need to stop saying how much a bargin $200 plus HDMI and speaker cables are!!

Don't hijack your own thread by bringing up cables. HDMI is my pet peeve in HT. The broadcast studios can run HD signals round on an RG-58U cable using the HD-SDI, but we're saddled with that miserable HDMI albatross.

[wbassett]

Nah wasn't highjacking, it's part of the whole topic. Some mags do say these high priced cables make a difference when they don't... but flip the page and what do you see? An advertisement for high priced cables!

[MakeFlat]

If you ever count the hours you put into your AV system over the years, what would be the value added worth of your system?

[gsmollin]

Don't ask, even I can't count that high!

[dynamowhum]

I voted over $5,000 my electronics and associated bits will come in over $7,000 when currently plan is complete. However if you include the room I pretty much built by myself from the ground up then you are talking much more serious money. Hey when it is completed as per current plans and it is not up to par, guess what?

[nitrox1]

The HT mags are for the most part out to lunch on most of what they print. I think part of their strategy is to make their readers feel like they got a bargain when they purchase this stuff in the real world. The internet auction sites are full of equipment from those who paid too much, and could not figure out how to use after the tech left. Which is fine by me.
I spoke with an internet seller, who only sells vintage speakers, and he told me not to get rid of my large advents because to buy something comparable in sound and quality I would have to spend $2500. or more. I guess what I am trying to say is that all the newest stuff that the HT mags put out are not necessarily better, but newer and more expensive.

[Fred33]

I am just starting out, but I found from reading the mags and then actually going out and talking with people I got different opinions. I found that you have to find a common with all the information and take the good with the bad. The best way that I found was to try out the products that I can afford and use my own judgment. Mostly the mags point me in the right direction.